This story was reported with support from the Delaware Division of Small Business. DSB assists small businesses by providing guidance and advice, helping navigate state permitting processes, increasing access to funding opportunities and connecting owners with strategic partners. Its mission is to help small businesses start, grow and scale in Delaware.
Over the last six years, Delaware has distributed nearly $8 million to 120 small businesses via its flagship funding program, the EDGE Grant.
This year, there are changes. EDGE 2.0, unveiled by the state Division of Small Business in July, offers 50-60% more grant money (up to $750,000 for STEM startups, $400,000 for non-STEM entrepreneurs) and a new online application process.
Also new this year: There is no set number of winners or award amount. Judges can choose to award the full $750K to a single STEM finalist, or split it among multiple finalists.
Judges can choose to award the full $750K to a single STEM finalist, or split it among multiple finalists.
“This modern version of EDGE creates clear pathways to scale, driven by collaboration with resource partners across Delaware’s innovation ecosystem,” said DSB Director CJ Bell when EDGE 2.0 was announced.
On Oct. 29, five STEM class finalists (out of a maximum of eight under the new rules) pitched their startups at STAR Tower on the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus in Newark.
The STEM judges are: Ken Briscoe (A6 Media), Dora Cheatham (Aternium) Noah Olson (Delaware Prosperity Partnership), Bill Provine (Innovation Space) and Troy Wilford (University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship).
Awardees will be announced by Governor Matt Meyer in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, here are the five STEM finalists, representing agriculture technology, education, logistics and equitable AI in Delaware:
KiposTech
KiposTech has developed air disinfection hardware for poultry farms — Delaware’s main agricultural industry. The technology reduces disease in chickens. With millions in regional losses from airborne disease every year, it has the potential to preserve the livelihoods of Delaware farmers while creating STEM jobs in the state.
“In a nutshell, we are solving farmers’ biggest pain, a million dollar loss that’s caused by air movements,” said cofounder and CEO Hema Ravindran.
Grad Village
A crowdfunding platform built specifically to help students pay for college, Grad Village is currently in a Delaware beta with 25 families, with a Delaware State University pilot planned for 2026.
“Grad Village isn’t just a startup, it’s an ecosystem builder. We empower students to complete their degrees without amassing debt,” said founder Jamila Bishop.
CarbonForm
CarbonForm has developed 3D printed drone frames to reduce crashes and expensive repairs for agriculture drones. It is currently being tested in UD’s corn fields.
“Our goal is pretty simple,” said cofounder and CTO Kevin Fu. “Build a stronger, smarter and crash resistant joint, and manufacture them right here in Delaware.”
BVP Coffee Co.
A coffee company in the STEM category? BVP Coffee Co. bills itself as a technology company that sees Delaware as a leader in equitable AI infrastructure, with a focus on sustainability and fair trade. Beyond sourcing and manufacturing coffee, BVP aims to open and franchise S.M.A.R.T. Cafes, an “intersection of coffee, coworking and coffee,” along with its own “ChatBVP” business development AI platform.
“We are investing in sustainable, smart manufacturing, developing augmented retail experiences and engineering cutting edge AI technology,” said cofounder Garry Johnson III.
FR888T
FR888T (pronounced “freight”) is a platform that uses AI to match truckers with shippers directly, allowing them to avoid costly brokers, long waits and wasted miles. The company aims to bring jobs and economic growth to Delaware, and expand into the Mid-Atlantic region.
“The system is broken, but freight is built to fix it,” said FR888T CTO Bobby Njoku. “FR888T removes the broker entirely.”
